Hoffenheim boss Nagelsmann plays down reports linking him with Arsenal and Chelsea jobs

Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann has claimed reports he could become the next Arsenal or Chelsea head coach are merely ‘rumours’.

The Gunners are on the hunt for their first new manager in over 21 years following last week’s announcement that long-standing boss Arsene Wenger will depart the club in the summer.

Chelsea could also be in the shop window for a new manager with Antonio Conte’s position at Stamford Bridge after his relationship with the Bluesboardsuffered this season.

Nagelsmann, the Bundesliga’s youngest manager, is considered one of the German league’s best coaches after helping Hoffenheim into the Champions League last season and is a potential replacement for both Wenger and Conte.

He has, however, played down any reports linking him with the Premier League.

‘I don’t think so, no. These are just rumours,’ he told Sky Sports Germany. ‘I focus on myself and my team the focus is on nothing else.’

The 30-year-old was speaking on Saturday before his side thrashed rivals RB Leipzig 5-2 away from home to put boost their hopes of a second successive top four finish.

‘I’m not annoyed by the discussions,’ Nagelsmann added. ‘I focus on myself and my team and want to make a good game here today.’

Hoffenheim’s Champions League debut was swiftly brought to an end by Liverpool as they cruised into the group stages with a 6-3 aggregate win.

However, given that the young manager guided his side to their first appearance in the Champions League, and are currently two points short of repeating their fourth-placed finish, former Arsenal midfielder Serge Gnabry praised the German for the impact he has had on his career.

Gnabry, who spent two seasons with the Arsenal first team after graduating from the academy, has played under both Nagelsmann and Wenger and said: ‘For sure you can say he [Nagelsmann] is one of the best,’ Gnabry said of the Bundesliga’s youngest head coach.

‘He’s mainly the reason why I came here. I felt with him I could improve and learn a lot.

‘There were a lot of tactical aspects to his style which I wanted to add to my game so I´m even stronger in the future.’